Enugu: How Edeoga replaced former candidate, Agbo, to emerge new LP guber standard-bearer
Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu
Chijioke Edeoga, on Saturday, emerged the new gubernatorial candidate of Labour Party (LP), replacing the earlier candidate, Casmir Agbo, who is also the State Chairman of the party.
Mr. Agbo, who was the former candidate, confirmed this in a telephone interview in Enugu.
“I can tell you authoritatively that Edeoga is now our candidate. You can go to press with that,” he said.
Mr. Edeoga, who lost the PDP governorship primary, was, until his resignation to run for Governor, in line with the 2022 Electoral Act, the immediate past Commissioner for Environment in the incumbent administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
He pulled nine votes to come second behind the winner, Peter Mbah, who pulled over 700 votes.
Mr. Agbo who was earlier elected at a primary held in Enugu, said the decision to pick Mr. Edeoga as his replacement was taken at an enlarged state executive meeting of the party on Saturday, July 2, 2022.
Edeoga is from Omulor Mgbuji, Eha–Amufu in Isi-Uzo LGA, Enugu State. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2007. He also holds Masters of Law from the prestigious University of London also in the United Kingdom.
After the Enugu PDP Gubernatorial primary election, he had promised to remain in the party and support Mbah who emerged as the party’s candidate.
“Although we were deeply disappointed with the outcome of the primary election, we have accepted the results in the interest of peace and stability of our beloved State.
“In the heat of the moment, numerous concerned persons suggested we take our message and members to a different party to seek a fresh platform on which to actualize our dreams. However, after giving it a careful and pragmatic thought, we decided to remain in PDP and support the flag-bear, Barr. Peter Ndubisi Mbah”, Edeoga said.
It is not yet clear if he has accepted the candidacy of the party as he is yet to issue any formal statement.